REVIEW: ‘Reincarnated as a Sword’ Episode 5 – “The Feeble First Dungeon”

Reincarnated as a Sword Episode 5 focuses solely on the series’ combat and continues to build on the relationship between the two main characters. While this episode is also narratively-lacking, it does present more details about the world.

The episode starts as Fran heads into the goblin-infested dungeon to prevent the “Goblin Stampede” hinted at in the previous episode, with other guild members following closely behind her. While previous episodes already established her strength, this episode shows how far she and the sword have gone by blazing through all the goblin mobs and showcasing new abilities they both learned off-screen. What’s unfortunate about this is that as the episode progresses, we start to see more and more of these new moves and abilities. The anime confirms my suspicions that a lot of the training goes off-screen with a flashback scene, and as I mentioned in the last episode’s review, it leaves a jarring feeling.

The episode mainly consists of Fran blazing through the dungeon. At the same time, the other adventurers dialogue about how strong she is and how they have to catch up, unfortunately never providing any additional meaningful dialogue. Aside from that, the episode also shows how well the two central characters get along well by displaying their wholesome, respectful relationship as master and attentive disciples. 

However, the most interesting part of the episode takes place in its second half, where a more formidable enemy appears to challenge the dynamic duo. Without spoiling too much, the episode reveals that the pair, while strong, is nowhere close to being omnipotent and surprisingly shows a giant leap from blazing through enemy mobs to having a compelling and engaging fight scene near the end that’s yet to be resolved. 

Additionally, it’s also made quite blatant in this episode that the combat is the best element of the anime as the direction, soundtrack, and choreography complement the action scenes so well you’d think the series focused on the combat and neglected the storytelling because it kind of did. That said, I’m beginning to accept the show for what it is; an action-packed, well-produced isekai anime that focuses more on flashy fight scenes than character development and storytelling. The fact that we’re at the halfway point of the anime’s run, and we haven’t been given any significant plot points, and that each episode boils down to fighting the monster of the week proves this.

However, I also won’t rule out the possibility of a grand narrative revealing itself, and it likely will be much later in the series, if adopted at all. To give credit where it’s due, the anime still maintains its excellent production quality. We get something new every episode, with the fifth episode especially providing viewers with something significant to latch on to.

There isn’t much to hate in Reincarnated as a Sword Episode 5, as what it lacks in storytelling, it almost makes up for with yet another incredible fight scene and newly introduced elements.

Reincarnated as a Sword Episode 5 is streaming now on HIDIVE.